Completion Requirements

As a full-time student:
A student must complete the program within two years of acceptance.

As a part-time student:
A student must complete the program within four years of acceptance.

Admission Requirements

C in Provincial English 12, English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or NIC ENG-060, ENG-096, ENG-098, ESL-090, or equivalent; or English assessment.

Portfolio of Works

Written Statement

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

Portfolio Submission deadline is March 1st

Portfolios will continue to be accepted while seats remain available.

Portfolios will be assessed by a panel of faculty and may take up to two weeks to complete.

Portfolios along with your written statement can be dropped off at Student Services at the Comox Valley campus or emailed to admissions-CV@nic.bc.ca. International students will submit electronic portfolios and statements to iadmissions@nic.bc.ca.

Portfolio Guidelines:

Your portfolio is your opportunity to present yourself to the faculty review panel. There is no perfect portfolio. Each portfolio is unique and represents your abilities, creativity and interests. You should submit your best and most recent work.

1. Select 10 – 15 samples of your artwork. These can be self-initiated works as well as works assigned to you as projects. Selected work may include but is not limited to:

Working studies, research, or technical explorations.

Drawings, paintings, printmaking

Mixed media or collage

Sculpture, ceramics, installation or assemblage

Photographic & design work

Time based work, video, audio, performance

Digital work

2. Include a portfolio inventory list identifying the works in your portfolio. Number each work to correspond with your inventory list. For each item include the title, media, size and date.

The portfolio panel is looking for an open, exploratory attitude, energy and a commitment that is consistent with the intense nature of this two-year program.

Written Statement Guidelines:

Complete a written statement answering the following questions. Your written statement should not exceed 500 words.

Why do you want to study at North Island College?

What will you gain through studying at the School of Fine Art & Design at NIC?

Why do you want to study visual art?

What mediums or artists inspire you?

Which piece in your portfolio is your favorite? Why?

It should be understood that the written statement is not used to determine your suitability for the program, rather it provides the review panel with information that may enhance or contribute to our understanding of your portfolio.

Upgrade with us to meet prerequisites

Upgrade your English, math and science courses for entry into the program of your choice. Succeed with the help of NIC’s supportive instructors. Courses are flexible and start several times a year so you can learn at your own pace. We offer daytime and evening options. Learn more

To Be Successful

Fine arts and design students at NIC are dedicated as well as creative. Course work is intense and requires focused effort and commitment.

If you are in the program full time, you will be in class for 22 hours per week with homework and extra studio time requiring almost that amount of time again. You will be challenged to see the world around you from different perspectives and are invited to interpret those experiences originally and creatively.

We encourage you to do much more than simply complete assignments. There is an expectation that you will push the limits and bring more to your assignments than is being asked of you.

Megan Wilson

Program Highlights

NIC’s fine arts program offers a career-focused education that fosters strong problem solving, critical thinking, research and studio practice skills. You will develop critical and theoretical skills in a broad range of mediums encompassing traditional, interdisciplinary and digital arts practice.

NIC’s well-equipped studios and unique setting has extensive resources, both physical and human, to inspire your imagination, allowing you to experiment with different mediums and express yourself individually.

Study in one of the best facilities in BC. NIC's studios are outfitted with up-to-date equipment and technology and many of the instructors maintain national and international practices. Trees, mountains and beautiful natural settings surround the Comox Valley campus and outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking are easily accessible as you learn to define who you are as an artist.

Beginning with fundamentals, for studio-based practice, you will build a comprehensive knowledge of materials, theory and exhibition for a contemporary visual culture. You will learn creative and critical thinking, as well as the hands-on techniques and skills necessary for artistic expression.

At NIC, you will have many opportunities to diversify your talents and explore a variety of mediums such as ceramics, printmaking, photography, sculpture, digital media, drawing and painting. Through a study of art history, you will explore the evolution of visual culture. NIC's creative environment will motivate you to experiment, explore and discover new methods of personal expression. You will be challenged to see the world around you from different perspectives and interpret those experiences originally and creatively.

If you are interested in taking a fine arts course, but do not wanting to apply to the fine arts program, there are often spaces available. Although course spaces are first allocated to program registrants, university studies program students are welcome to select fine arts courses and do not need to submit a portfolio of works to do so. Community members can also sign up to enjoy a fine arts course by registering as a part-time university studies student. For more information, contact an NIC educational advisor.

Your Fine Arts diploma will prepare you to launch your career or transfer to degrees at UVic, VIU or at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

Career Opportunities

After graduation, you will have conceptual and technical knowledge to apply your skills in a wide range of employment opportunities in the knowledge-based creative economy. You will have a strong contextual understanding of the visual arts across multiple disciplines to successfully pursue a career in painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, ceramics, curating, art education, art therapy, community arts programming, industrial design, exhibit design, fashion, interior design, illustration, theatre, set design, video, film and more.

Transfer to a Degree

Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts)

Complete your NIC Fine Arts diploma with an average of C (2.0) or higher) including first and second year liberal studies courses outlined below to be considered for admission to Year 3 of AUArts' Bachelor of Fine Arts degree on the basis of their academic standing and a portfolio review.

As an NIC transfer student you will be given the same priority admission as continuing AUArts students when applying to:

Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Complete your NIC Fine Arts diploma with a cumulative 3.0 GPA (B average) or higher to be automatically accepted into year three of Emily Carr’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (Critical and Cultural Practices) degree. If your cumulative GPA is between 2.0 and 2.99 you will be considered for admission to year three of the BFA on the basis of your academic standing and a portfolio review.

Transfer up to 63 credits. Complete your NIC Fine Arts diploma with a cumulative 2.0 GPA (C average) or higher to be considered for admission to the following programs on the basis of your academic standing and a portfolio review. Note that these programs have competitive entry and therefore your portfolio should reflect work that is consistent with your intended major.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film, Video + Integrated media)

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Photography)

Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)

Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design)

Bachelor of Design (Interaction Design)

Bachelor of Media (Animation)

Bachelor of Media (Interactive + Social Media Arts)

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Illustration) Note: Apply to second year in order to take Emily Carr’s specialized second-year illustration courses.

University of Victoria (UVIC)

Transfer Seamlessly to UVic's Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) or UVic's Bachelor of Arts (Art History and Visual Studies).

With dual admission you can secure a seat in UVic's Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) or Bachelor of Arts (Art History and Visual Studies). With dual admission you can study for up to two years at NIC while working toward UVic's BFA in Visual Arts or UVic's BA in Art History and Visual Studies.

Vancouver Island University (VIU)

Complete two years (60 credits) of your NIC Fine Arts Diploma with a cumulative 2.0 GPA (C average) or higher to be considered for admission to year three of VIU's Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts) on the basis of your academic standing and a portfolio review. As an NIC transfer student, you will be given the same priority registration as continuing VIU students.

Make sure your courses count.

Each degree pathway has its own unique deadlines, portfolio requirements, course prerequisites and transfer requirements.

Tuition & Costs Estimate

Costs indicated are estimates for a 100% course load per year, unless otherwise noted. Additional fees may also include necessary equipment, supplies, NIC appointed uniforms, or field trips not included in these estimates.

While we do our best to share accurate and timely fee information, changes may occur. For more information, visit our tuition page.

Domestic Fees

Year 1

Year 2

Grand Total

Tuition

$3,025

$3,025

NISU Fees

$130

$130

Lab Fees

$440

$350

Books

$1,630

$1,630

Learner Resource

$160

$160

Health and Dental

$275

$275

Total

$5,660

$5,570

$11,230

Full-time
students are automatically enrolled in the mandatory Health and Dental Benefit plan ($275).